Rusting of Iron

[Michael1160]

Hello!

if Oxygen exists mainly as O2 molecules, here at sea level, why does the O2 molecule still react with Iron by  ripping off an electron from iron?  Isn’t the O2 molecule happy and stable, and in its desired configuration?  I can see an oxygen ATOM stealing an electron from Iron, by why would an O2 molecule, if the O2 molecule is the more stable configuration?

[Michael1160]

Disregard the above question, I forgot about the need for water to facilitate this chemical reaction.